Nahki Wells may move as Cardiff sell striker - what to expect from Bristol City on transfer deadline day

As the last few hours of the January 2022 winter transfer window tick by, Bristol City supporters may wonder if it will be a dramatic 2017 style ending or damp squib 2019.

Matty Taylor rocked up at Ashton Gate from the other side of the city on this day five years ago, but the Robins failed to land the striker that they wanted to push on their campaign to land a top six spot two years after that, on a quiet last day of the winter window.

Today’s deadline day could be more of the latter, but there is scope for some last minute fireworks, similar to that of January 2020.

News emerged over the weekend that Nahki Wells was the subject of interest from nearby rivals Swansea City and Cardiff City, with a possible loan explored.

And coupled to that is the news that the Bluebirds have accepted a bid in the region of £3.5m for forward Kieffer Moore on Monday from Bournemouth.

Although Jordan Hugill has just arrived at the CCS on Sunday - scoring in the win over Nottingham Forest - it may be that the side from the Welsh capital are on the hunt for more forward reinforcements.

That means that Wells could come back into Cardiff’s sights. If a deal was agreed, that could free up the finance for the Robins to bring in a player themselves.

Nigel Pearson explained at the weekend that he was not keen to help the neighbours out, but that he might sanction a player leaving if it helped one to arrive.

“Whether we have departures, I couldn’t tell you, but if a departure happened, would it spark some last-minute business? It depends on whether we can get, if that did happen, the player that we want,” said the City boss.

“I’m not bringing also-rans and journeymen in who are just going to fill number space up,” he added.

As well as a striker being on City’s radar in the longer-term, the Robins are examining options at full-back, but any further recruitment there may not happen in this window.

Regarding outgoings, BristolWorld understands that the club would listen to offers for Wells and Kasey Palmer, with the attacking midfielder having attracted interest this window.

A possible deal for Palmer fell through last week and it’s unlikely that the former Chelsea man moves on deadline day as things stand unless any last minute offers arrive.

Bristol City believed they could attract a better deal for Palmer but that has not happened.

Elsewhere, the future of U23s striker Louis Britton remains unclear after a trial at Derry City last week, and there could yet be more youth loans announced.

The Robins played well on Saturday, however, if not winning, and with central defenders Timm Klose and Robbie Cundy added to the squad, options in central defence have improved, with Nathan Baker expected to be out for the rest of the season following two concussions sustained in quick succession this season.

Indeed, City’s best business might be if the West Country outfit could tie down Han-Noah Massengo and Antoine Semenyo to new long-term contracts. Any finance, many fans would argue, should be pointed in that direction.